“Law enforcement subpoenas seeking a reporter's sources are an occupational hazard the alternative press has experience resisting,” said VVM Executive Editor Michael Lacey. “However, the attempt of prosecutors to seek the identity of our online readers threatens not only the First Amendment but also serves to chill our audience which relies upon the web rather than newsprint. Jim Larkin and I have faced the same intrusive threat from then County Attorney Andrew Thomas and Sheriff Joe Arpaio in Phoenix.”

“We urge all of our colleagues in AAN to join us and make a donation to Maui Time's defense fund. We do not allow law enforcement to threaten our staff; we must not allow them to threaten our readers.”

Russo and his paper are fighting this in court, arguing that this is a direct, challenge to the free press rights of Maui Time to publish wrongdoing and that it clearly attempts to stifle the First Amendment rights of people to comment on matters of public interest.

To make a contribution to the Maui Time Defense Fund please send a check to: